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Heavy-Duty Ultrasonic Cleaning for Molds

Visitors to NPE2015 next week in Orlando, Fla., will be shown a simulation to indicate the superior cleaning power of magnetostrictive-type ultrasonic cleaning tanks for removing polymer residues from molds. FISA North America, Inc., Elk Grove Village, Ill., will display a cleaning tank with different ultrasonic generators on opposite sides. One is the piezoelectric type that is often used for cleaning plastic parts but does not have sufficient power for cleaning molds, according to FISA’s Philippe Vaudeleau. On the other side will be FISA’s magnetostrictive technology, with a massive, 45-lb transducer, capable of cleaning heavy mold components with heavy contamination, Vaudeleau says. This contrasts with a typical 1-lb piezoelectric transducer, more suited to high-precision cleaning and removal of tiny dirt particles from the surface of lenses and other small parts.

Besides being faster and more thorough for cleaning molds, Vadeleau notes that its magnetostrictive transducers can work at higher temperatures—up to 190-195 F, vs. 120 F for piezo-type transducers.

Vaudeleau says FISA has sold more than 200 ultrasonic cleaners to U.S. molders and moldmakers over the last 12-13 years.

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